Sunless Tanner Tips

Avoid the dreaded “fake tan” look by following these sunless tanner tips that will help you get even coverage and longer-lasting results.

Use the right self-tanner. Doctor’s Approach Naturals Sunless Tanning Lotion includes Vitamin E, Shea Butter and natural oils. It goes on evenly, absorbs quickly, is non-staining and gives results in as little as 4 hours. Stays for up to a week with a single application.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Use a high-quality exfoliator like Doctor’s Approach Naturals Exfoliating Hand and Body Wash w/ White Lava prior to applying a self-tanner. This will help slough off any dry patches of dead skin leaving you ready for tanning. Spend a little more time exfoliating where your skin is thickest — elbows, knees and ankles.

Dry and moisturize your skin. Drying your skin before you apply a self-tanner helps it go on evenly.

Apply in sections. Apply the self-tanner in sections (such as the arms, then legs, followed by the torso). Massage the self-tanner into your skin in a circular motion.

Use a mitt. You will avoid orange-colored palms by using a self-tanner mitt to apply product.

Blend at your wrists and ankles. For a natural look, you need to lightly extend the tanner from your wrists to your hands and from your ankles to your feet.

Dilute over your joints. Dilute the self-tanner on the knees, ankles and elbows, because these areas tend to absorb more self-tanner than the rest of the skin. To dilute, lightly rub with a damp towel or apply a thin layer of lotion on top of the self-tanner.

Give your skin time to dry. Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed. For the next three hours, it is best to wear loose clothing and try to avoid sweating.

Apply sunscreen every day. You still need to protect your skin with sunscreen. Be sure that your sunscreen offers all of the following: